The National tribune., 1887-06-23
OUR RURAL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
SUMNER DIFFICULTIES WITH POULTRY.

SUMNER DIFFICULTIES WITH POULTRY.
There is work TO do during Summer whichis t
often neglected because it is busy season on |
the farm. Kidding the fowls of lice should be
attended to- Even when there are no signs of
lice, they may be busy at work on the fowls
making them droOpy and mopish, while no
amount of food will keep them in good condi-
ton. The hen, when somewhat fat, is not at
tackled by lice wherever she can reach, for she
is provided with an oil sack at the base of the
tail, from which she derives oil, not only as
protection against lice, but to assist in cleaning
her feathers The large lice, therefore, congre-
gate on the heads and neclls. If the hen is poor
in flesh the lice may be found on all parts of the
body. The best remedy is lard, and only small
portion should be used, which should be rubbed
on the skin of the heads and necks. The fowl
should then be held by the legs head dOwnwards
and thoroughly busted with Persian insect
powder. The quarters must also be kept very
clean. Once week is not too often to give such
attention to hens in the Summer. Go into the
en-hOuse at night and force few drops of
warm lard in among the feathers of the head
and neck with sewing machine oi-can.
To prevent disease, keep the hens at work by
making them scratch for their grain food Over
feeding is the cause of bowel diseases in the
Summer-or, rather, too much concentrated
food is given, and not enough of bulky. If the
quarters are kept clean, there is little dangerof
contagious diseases unless an addition is made
TO the flock by bringing bird from some other
farm. When "new blood" is wanted procure
sitting Of eggs of the breed desired it is very
important that when the cOops are clean and
the fowls free from disease no fowls from other
places be introduced. A flock may thus be
stocked with lice infected with disease
american Agriculiurist
THE CELLAR IN SUMMER.
At this season the cellar must be kept cool,
| dry, ventilated and clean. The doors must be
| kept closed as much as possible during the day,
| but they may be opened about midnight, and
remain open until early morning During the
latter half of the night the air is cool, and air
must be admitted to keep the cellar dry and
pure. II kept clean, not great deal of airing
will be needed. If the cellar is damp, fruit and
vegetables decay sooner, and it is more un-
| healthful than is generally supposed. Many
| attacks Of fever, diphtheria, or other diseases,
result from damp, unventilated, unclean cellars.
Keeping the cellar clean and ventilated, is the
best way to keep it dry it may be necessary to
| use Otner means. Lime placed in the cellar will
absorb moisture and noxious gases, and thus
help TO keep the air pure. Charcoal is also
| great absorber of gases. The temperature of
the cellar may DO lowered by putting tub of
| broken ice and salt in. The rapid melting of
the ice cools the air. This will be convenient
when a considerable quantity Of fresh meat or
| fruit is to be preserved. 1t is impossible TO
| keep the cellar in good condition unless the
drainage is efficient, and there is proper ar
rangement Of doors and windows. Double ones
are needed to keep the temperature at the right
| point in Sumller as we'll as in Winter.
LIVE STOCK IN JULY.
Horses at hard work need special care, both
| in food and general treatment. They cannot
| do hard work on grass alone, and should have
a proper ration of oats. An occasional washing
in addition TO carrying and brushing, will help
| keep the coat in good order. Use a cotton sheet
to keep of flies. Water frequently and they will
not drink to excess. Clean and sweet stables
promote the health of the animals. Cows often
| suffer from excessive heat while at pasture.
| Every pasture should have shade. If there are
no trees, make a shelter; roof set upon stakes
| and thatchod with brush, Will answer good
purpose. If cow is sunstruek while in full
flow, the amount of milk is greatly diminished,
if not stopped altogether, and is rarely restored.
Sheep should have access to water. and be pro-
| vided with shade; give salt frequently.
Youngpigs require little beyond clover past
ure. Those intended for early market should
have extra feed. Hens set after this month
rarely succeed with their brood. The poultry
|
il clear of vermin. Whitewash the sides and
floor, applying kerosene to the roOsts, and pro-
vide dust-bOxes. Feed turkeys daily enough
to induce them to return homo regularly at
night.
DOES ANY ONE KNOW?
VIII some reader of THE NATIONAL TEIB-
UEE tell me through its columns what is the
best thing to put on a horses forward feet that
have become very dry and hard. b. C., Nor
witch, Conn.
NOTES.
Plants do better when not watered often,
but copiousy.
1t is claimed that sorrel can be eradicated
from fields by the generous application of un-
bleached wood ashes.
In pruning very young pear trees en-
courage growth Of wood in proper directions.
instead OF fruit production at the expense OF
J development.
Peach trees are being planted extensively
in New Jersey where they have not been grown
before for many years, and the prospect is that
, peach growing in that State will be a success.
- Young chicks will eat wheat when they are
two weeks DID, and they should be given plenty
of it. When they droop from rapid feathering
: they should be allowed q small portion of meat
daily.
If you are troubled with bark lice, wash
the tree thoroughly with soft soap made into a
suds. And, by the way, it will always pay to
carry the water on wash days aud apply around
. the fruit trees
{ A saving Of labor may be made in the
{ garden by using the rake frequently. Very
!, young weeds may be easily destroyed by pass
Q ing the rake between the rows, while by allow.
S ing the weeds TO become we'll rooted the hoe
I may be necessary. Economy Of labor is in
J, keeping weeds and grass down as their seed:
b | germinate, which renders the task easier.
When lambs are well at night and are
I found dead in the morning the result is some
b times due to forced and high feeding, inducing
s fatty degeneration of the heart. Overproduc
G ton Of fat, with deficiency of bone and mus
: Gle, is very injudiciOus treatment, and may b,
: avoided by feeding material Astounding in phOs
l pilates and nitrogen rather than in fat anC
L starch.
= If you have old trees that have failed Il
5, yield profitable crops of fruit dig the soil VI
thoroughly and then apply good dressing o
well-rOtted stable manure and work thoroughly
into the soil. Then, if you have them, apply
Z dressing of wood ashes. If these fail 10 reviv
@ the tree, and after giving good pruning, it j
n about past redemption and should give way t,
'r something better.
IS Early wedding is important with root crops
Y keep the spaces between the rows clean by tn
G. use Of handcultiyator in small gardens, anC
D. a horse implement in large ones. Cut out tn
" plants with a sharp hoe, leaving them in littl
l. clusters six or eight inches apart in the row
81 These clusters may be thinned later to lcay
y but single plant in place.